Abbott Laboratories (ABT) and the Abbott Fund Donate $1 Million in Funding and Products to Support Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) and its foundation, the Abbott Fund, are providing $1 million in funding and product donations to support relief efforts in response to Hurricane Sandy. The Abbott Fund grants will be provided to longstanding relief organization partners, including the American Red Cross, AmeriCares, Direct Relief International and World Vets. Abbott product donations have been made to Direct Relief International and Feeding America.

Abbott product donations were provided to food banks and free clinics in states along the east coast, including New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Earlier this year, Abbott worked with Feeding America and Direct Relief International to strategically pre-position "disaster relief packs" containing nutritional and medical products in coastal communities at high risk of hurricanes. Abbott donations for the packs include adult and pediatric nutritional products and rehydration solutions provided to food banks through Feeding America, and nutritional products, medicine and diabetes care products provided to free clinics through Direct Relief International. Food banks and free clinics are able to access these disaster packs as needed to quickly respond to local community needs.

"Our thoughts are with the many people who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy," said John B. Thomas, vice president, Investor Relations and Public Affairs, Abbott, and president, the Abbott Fund. "Working together with trusted relief organizations, Abbott and the Abbott Fund are providing funding and products to help communities recover in the days and weeks ahead."

About Abbott and the Abbott Fund

As part of its commitment to responsible global citizenship, Abbott has a long history of providing humanitarian relief around the world. Working together with longstanding relief organizations, Abbott and the Abbott Fund have provided rapid relief aid and supported ongoing recovery efforts in Chile, Haiti, Japan and many other countries in recent years.

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs approximately 91,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's website at www.abbott.com.

The Abbott Fund is a philanthropic foundation established by Abbott in 1951. The Abbott Fund's mission is to create healthier global communities by investing in creative ideas that promote science, expand access to health care and strengthen communities worldwide. For more information on the Abbott Fund, visit www.abbottfund.org.